Former All Black Zac Guildford has admitted he has work to do in the gym having arrived in France to play for Clermont Auvergne.

Guildford, who has spoken of his desire to replicate the success of Sitiveni Sivivatu for Clermont in the Top 14, joined the French heavyweights from Super Rugby's Crusaders.

"To be honest I've got a bit of work to do to lose a few pounds and get a bit sharper," Guildford admitted in an interview with Rugbyrama.fr. "I know that people will expect a lot from me and I hope that with some game time I can show what I can do on the ground.

"The challenge excites me. I arrived 10 days ago, and all of my team-mates were very friendly. There's just the language barrier at the moment but I'm starting French classes."

Guildford, a 2011 Rugby World Cup winner, played 10 Tests for New Zealand but fell out of favour at the Crusaders this year, playing only for their development side and in club rugby before New Zealand Rugby terminated his contract early.